Widener Alumnus Named 2014 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett on Monday announced Anthony Grisillo, a teacher
in the Rose Tree Media School District and a 2002 graduate of Widener’s master’s in
education program, as Pennsylvania’s 2014 Teacher of the Year.

"As a former teacher, I extend warm congratulations to Anthony for achieving this
significant honor," Corbett said. "Anthony's ability to inspire creativity, encourage
innovation and engage his students has had a positive impact on all who have spent
time in his classroom. Our children deserve great teachers, and I appreciate all Pennsylvania
educators who share Anthony's commitment to both the education profession and their
students."

Grisillo, currently in his 15th year at Rose Tree Media School District, is an instructor
for the Academically Gifted Program for kindergarten through fifth grade. Since 2000,
he has served as the elementary science coordinator for curriculum and development.
Grisillo received his bachelor's degree in secondary elementary education from West
Chester University and his master's degree in science and technology from Widener
University. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association and the
National Science Teachers Association.

Grisillo has presented at numerous professional development sessions, including the
Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association conference, the National Science Teachers
Association conference, the Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education conference
and the Berks County Intermediate Unit Conference for Gifted Education, as well as
designing and instructing workshops for curriculum, academic standards and technology.
His teaching lessons have included movie making, chain reactions, a life-size finback
whale, hot air ballooning, gaming, robotics, rocketry and simulated NASA missions.

In addition to earning Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, Grisillo is the recipient
of the Acme Teacher of the Month Award in December 2012 and the Boeing Space Camp
for Educators Right Stuff Award in 2000, and was a Discovery Educator Network STAR
Educator from 2009 to 2013.

Pennsylvania's Teacher of the Year program is co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department
of Education and the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National State Teacher of the Year,
which was founded in 1995.

Widener University is a metropolitan university that connects curricula to social
issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention,
leadership development and experiential learning are key components of the Widener
experience. A comprehensive doctorate-granting university, Widener is comprised of
eight schools and colleges that offer liberal arts and sciences, professional and
pre-professional curricula leading to associate's, baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral
degrees. The university's campuses in Chester, Exton and Harrisburg, Pa., and Wilmington,
Del., serve more than 6,300 students. Widener is proud to be a tobacco-free campus.
Visit the university's website, www.widener.edu.

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Photo Caption:Anthony Grisillo (center) is congratulated by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett (left)
and Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Carolyn Dumaresq on being named 2014 Teacher
of the Year.